The Curriculum
IB Diploma Program students study six courses, one subject from each of groups 1 to 5. The sixth subject may be an arts subject from group 6, or the student may choose another course from groups 1 to 5. Taking courses across all five subject groups ensures breadth of experience in languages, social studies, experimental sciences and mathematics. Students can take a minimum of 3 but maximum of 4 higher level courses (240 teaching hours; 2 year courses), and a minimum of 2 but a maximum of 3 standard level courses (150 teaching hours; 1 year courses). Students are only allowed two standard level exams their junior year; all other exams must be in their senior year. IB Preparatory Courses Students must choose Spanish in 9th grade as their second language for all four years. Students are encouraged to enroll in Advanced Biology, Geometry, Advanced English 9, AP Art History in 9th grade and Advanced English 10, AP World History, Algebra 2 in 10th grade. IB Assessment The IB Diploma Program students take written exams in May at the end of each course. All students in a higher level course will have exams in May of their senior year. These exams are marked by the student's teacher and then moderated by external IB examiners. Students are awarded marks (scores) for each course based on their performance on both external exams in May and the internal exams given throughout the length of the course. The marks range from 1 (lowest) to 7 (highest). Students can also earn up to three additional points from their Theory of Knowledge course and their Extended Essay. The IB Diploma is awarded to students who score at least 24 points on their combined course marks across all six courses, TOK, and Extended Essay. IB Courses at TCHS
Universities grant college credit for HL courses, pending exam score, and some universities may grant college credit for SL courses, pending exam score. The following courses receive weighted grades. Group 1: English HL 1 & 2 Group 2: Spanish HL 1 & 2, SL Group 3: History of the Americas HL 1 & 2 Group 4: Biology SL; Chemistry SL; Design and Technology HL 1 & 2 Group 5: Mathematics HL 1 & 2, SL; Math Studies SL Group 6: Music HL 1 & 2 SL; Dance HL 1 & 2, SL; Visual Arts HL 1 & 2, SL; Theatre HL 1 & 2, SL |
The International Baccalaureate is designed as an academically challenging and balanced program of education with final examinations that prepares students for success at the university and life beyond. This two year program taught in 11th and 12th grades only has gained recognition and respect from the world's leading universities.
IB Benefits
Earn an International Baccalaureate diploma, in addition to a high school diploma, that is recognized around the world. 1. Improve student’s chances for admission to college. 2. Understand one’s ability and responsibility to impact the local and global community. 3. Develop and apply critical thinking skills to a high degree. 4. Take college level courses, potentially earning them college credit depending on exam score and university. 5. Participate and belong to a family learning community, which promotes personal growth and closer working relationships with peers and IB staff. 6. Build the ten key skills to the IB Learner Profile: inquiry, knowledge, critical thinking, communication, integrity, open-mindedness, empathy and respect, risk-taking, personal well-being, and reflection of their own learning. 7. Develop and educate the whole student - personally, intellectually, emotionally and ethically. 8. Become citizens who are internationally minded-who embrace their own culture, are open and responsive to other cultures, and will be prepared to live and work in our global economy. 9. Various studies show that IB Diploma students outperform their peers on state assessments, have higher acceptance rates to colleges, and perform better in post-secondary education than their peers. IB Benefits
Earn an International Baccalaureate diploma, in addition to a high school diploma, that is recognized around the world. 1. Improve student’s chances for admission to college. 2. Understand one’s ability and responsibility to impact the local and global community. 3. Develop and apply critical thinking skills to a high degree. 4. Take college level courses, potentially earning them college credit depending on exam score and university. 5. Participate and belong to a family learning community, which promotes personal growth and closer working relationships with peers and IB staff. 6. Build the ten key skills to the IB Learner Profile: inquiry, knowledge, critical thinking, communication, integrity, open-mindedness, empathy and respect, risk-taking, personal well-being, and reflection of their own learning. 7. Develop and educate the whole student - personally, intellectually, emotionally and ethically. 8. Become citizens who are internationally minded-who embrace their own culture, are open and responsive to other cultures, and will be prepared to live and work in our global economy. 9. Various studies show that IB Diploma students outperform their peers on state assessments, have higher acceptance rates to colleges, and perform better in post-secondary education than their peers. |